September 6, 2013 - In This Issue:
Briefs Header 
Message from Wally ~

 

Back to School

 

It's official! All Lake County public schools are now in session. Kelseyville schools remain true to the traditional start of school being the day after Labor Day. Other Lake County schools started as early as mid-August. Most, if not all, schools reported a positive, smooth first day. We can now move forward with many new and exciting educational initiatives. This school year promises to be filled with change, challenges and opportunities. Hooray!

 

County Fair

 

I hope you had a chance to attend the Lake County fair. If you did, I am sure you noticed the wonderful Lake County Office of Education Booth in Fritch Hall. Many thanks to all who volunteered their time in the booth to promote the many programs and services LCOE provides to our children and families. A big salute to Shelly and Laurie for organizing and preparing the booth for the fair. If you missed the fair, check out the LCOE FaceBook page for pictures and comments. You can also visit the Kesey Room for examples of student comments about their "favorite teacher". Hundreds of people commented on their teachers while visiting the LCOE booth. What a positive way to start the school year! See the article below for more details.

 

Parent Engagement

 

As you know, Parent Engagement is a major focus area this year. The Early Childhood Educators Task Force (0-8) has identified Parent Engagement as its number one priority for this year and will be developing strategies to gather input from parents in an effort to develop a comprehensive plan to engage parents starting with the birth of their child. The Task Force has forged a partnership with First 5 Lake to combine efforts and resources for this important initiative. Commissioners from First 5 Lake recently approved $20,000 toward the Parent Engagement initiative. Thank you First 5 Lake!

 

Have a good week.

 

Thanks!

 Wally

LCOE at the Lake County Fair
Education is a Priceless Treasure

The theme of the Lake County Fair was Hidden Treasure, and our booth was designed to support the theme while highlighting the importance of education in Lake County. Laurie Allen, from the LPC/Communications office at LCOE, used her tremendous creativity to the theme design and painted the "treasure map" that highlighted the treasures and jewels of Lake County -- our schools and educators.

I know any volunteer would attest to the joy of watching a child's or an adult's face light up when asked if they want to honor their favorite teacher. It was also inspiring to watch teachers wander through and find their name among the jewel tags.
Mrs. Buffalo, brand new teacher at Lakeport Elementary.
Anna Sabalone from Upper Lake High School

It's important to recognize that the work we do at LCOE provides vital support and resources to districts and schools that results in a community that supports education and makes it a priority.  



The attitudes and enthusiasm of our booth volunteers are what made the project so successful and uplifting for all involved.

A special thank you to our volunteers and to the programs who sponsored the fair booth, and who encouraged their team to volunteer their time to make the booth possible:
Healthy Start
Child Development
Lake County Child Care Planning Council
LCOE
ROP/CTE

"Like" our FaceBook page to see more photos and comments from Lake County students and parents.

Here are a few LCOE staff members who were honored with "jewel tags" by appreciative students:
Tucker loves Lesa Koloff,  Early Connection Preschools

Katrina Hickey, Kelseyville Early Connection Preschool



Meet Rebecca Peterson
Coordinator of District Support Services

And AVID KNITTER!  Rebecca remembers the date she committed to becoming a serious knitter. It was October 31, 1983. She had a choice between taking her toddler daughter trick-or-treating or going to a knitting class. She passed her butterfly-costumed daughter to her husband, grabbed her knitting needles and went to class! She hasn't stopped knitting since. Her entry in the 2013 Lake County Fair, a knitted bikini (pictured at right), took home the blue ribbon. But beachwear isn't her only clothing line; she knits hats, bags, scarves, mittens, socks, sweaters, skirts, blankets. If it is possible to knit it, she has probably done it. Why? Just for the fun of it! She doesn't knit on request but she has knitted many donated items, like hats for Patty Langston to give to her students.
  
Rebecca's love has grown so deep that 15 years she ago she joined a community of spinners (yarn spinning). As a member of Sheep Thrills, she now scours, dyes, combs, cards and spins her own wool for knitting and weaving. If the end of times comes, Rebecca is confident that she will survive and thrive because of her ability to make hand-made clothing from scratch.

Rebecca recommends Ravelry.com, an online worldwide knitting community, to see more about knitting and to connect with other knitters.

Rebecca is just one of many interesting and inspiring people who contribute to LCOE. If you have an interesting story to share about yourself or a colleague, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Certified Nursing Assistant Program Now Available!
Class Begins September 23

The Lake County Office of Education's Regional Occupational Program offers a course designed to train individuals to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).  Under the supervision of a health professional, usually a licensed nurse, a CNA provides basic nursing services to ensure the safety, comfort, personal hygiene, and protection of patients/residents in a licensed long-term or intermediate health care facility. Upon successful completion of the Certified Nurse Assistant course, graduates receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to take their test for state certification.

 For more information contact Tammy Serpa at [email protected] or 995-9523 x 407. 

 


Welcome to our new LCOE Employees

 

Simone Latham, Safe Schools

 

Jaclyn Scott, Afterschool

Dennis Foster, Afterschool

Vanessa Curl, Afterschool

Mariah Soares, Afterschool

  

Mark Jones,  Clearlake Creativity School

Mary White, Clearlake Creativity School

Christian Dorn, Clearlake Creativity School

Melissa Webb, Clearlake Creativity School

 

Sergio Chavez, Alternative Education / Hance

Kristen Halverson-Muenzer, Alternative Education / Hance

David Olsen-Pederson, Alternative Education / Hance

  

Zachary Bailey, Child Development  

Lourdes Aguirre, Preschool 

Michelene Tinaza, Preschool

Holly Sherman, Preschool

 

Candy Tkachenco, Educational Services

 

Laurie Allen, Lake County Child Care Planning Council/Steps to Quality/LCOE Communications

 
Free Flu Shot Clinics
 
Take a shot at avoiding the flu, get your FREE flue shot. Flu shots are being sponsored by SISC Health Smarts program and are FREE to all permanent employees. Retirees and dependents who are at least 9 years and older are also eligible for a FREE flu shot if they are enrolled in a SISC health benefit plan. To schedule your flu shot click here 
Clinics are offered at LCOE, Lakeport Unified, Upper Lake Union Elementary and High School, Kelseyville Unified, Middletown Unified and Mendocino Unified.
 
LCOE is on Facebook!

If you are a Facebook user, "Like" our page to receive updates and information!
 
Colonial Life Benefits Available
 

As an employee of the Lake County Office of Education you are offered the opportunity to attend an informational presentation by Colonial Life detailing the additional benefits they can offer to you.  These presentations will be offered onThursday, September 19th at the LCOE Office, Kesey Room in Lakeport and Thursday, September 26th at the Education & Training Center/Clearlake Creative School.  You choose which site and dates works best for you.

 

To RSVP, please email [email protected]

 

 

 
Clearlake Creativity School Opens


Lake County Office of Education announced the new vision for their Southshore Campus, located at 6945 Old Highway 53 in Clearlake.  Formerly the campus housed LCOE's alternative education programs.  Those programs were relocated to the Hance Education Center on Argonaut Road in Lakeport last year in effort to consolidate programs and spending.  The Clearlake Campus is now home to two exciting programs: The Creativity School and the Career Technical Education/College-Going Initiative Department. 


 According to LCOE Senior Director, Brock Falkenberg, "These programs enable us to fully utilize this facility. We are pleased to be able to provide additional jobs and services in our Southshore communities."  Read More
 
Lake County Big Read 
Launch Party October 5th


Check out the Big Read page on our website for more information about the Big Read.

The Mother/Daughter photo gallery exhibit will be hosted here at LCOE, beginning October 2. For more information on how you can get involved, contact [email protected].


Did you finish your on-line safety courses?


Taylor Observatory 2013-2014 

Fall events are under way. 
Lego League and Window to the universe continue through Fall. Learn More
Calendar Highlights

 

Healthy Start Collaborative/Children's Counci| Wednesday, 9/18 | 11:00 am | LCOE Kesey Room

Connect & Inspire Technology Workshop | Saturday, 9/21 | 8:30 am | Terrace Middle School

Big Read Celebrate Mothers & Daughters Photo Gallery Exhibit | Wednesday, 10/2 | LCOE

Partners for Quality, CA Infant/Toddler Framework Seminar | Saturday, 10/5 | 8:30-3:30 | Taylor Observatory

 


For Comments or Submissions
Shelly Mascari

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